Loughborough University FC crash out of FA Vase

A fired-up home crowd witnessed the students staging an impressive second-half comeback after having gone down 2-0 before the break, just for the opponents from two divisions lower to steal away again, winning 3-2.

LOUGHBOROUGH University’s dreams of Wembley were shattered when they suffered a frustrating 3-2 defeat at the hands of Uttoxeter Town FC in a hard-fought First Round FA Vase replay.

A fired-up home crowd witnessed the students staging an impressive second-half comeback after having gone down 2-0 before the break, just for the opponents from two divisions lower to steal away again, winning 3-2.

It was an unusually busy Wednesday for Loughborough. While half of the first team squad travelled to Scotland to face Stirling University in an important BUCS fixture, the rest made their way to Uttoxeter. After Saturday’s goalless draw, both sides exercised pressure early on, quickly seeking the way into the final third when in possession, determined to score this time round.

Only a few minutes into the game the hosts first indicated that they would be looking to give Loughborough trouble, playing it wide and sending a cross dangerously close to Connor O’Keefe’s goal,

At the other end Ben Ward-Cochrane showed he meant business, with his first attempt after 10 minutes going straight into the arms of Uttoxeter keeper Alex Langridge before having another powerful strike go just wide.

The game was a nervy affair now with both teams focussing on avoiding mistakes at all costs. The hosts looked lively but failed to create any real chances coming up against solid defensive display. Their fortunes changed in the 21st minute, when one of their strikers was brought down by Kumbirai Mutamba in the box and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Sean Dunion stepped up and put it into the right bottom corner past the shot-stopper’s outstretched hands. The hosts did not rest on that narrow lead though and O’Keeffe did well to deny Kyle Esplin twice within the space of minutes, first from a free-kick, then with a brilliantly timed through ball.

Sensing the increased pressure, the students stepped up their game with Mutamba attempting to make amends but misfiring from about 20 yards and the ever-lively Ward-Cochrane being denied by Uttoxeter’s towering centre back Dominic Ward. Instead, it fell to the hosts to double their lead a few minutes before the break.

Again the attack came down the left wing, where Lee Bagley was sought out and took the ball into the box, dodging a few flimsy Loughborough challenges, his well-placed shot into the far end left O’Keefe with no chance.

This was not the half-time result the students had envisioned but Uttoxeter’s well-organised defense and clinical finishing made it a well-deserved result.

Nevertheless, the visitors’ confidence was not dented as they emerged from the dressing room the more spirited and determined side. Cameron Gray’s first attempt went wide over the bar but acted as wake-up call.

Seven minutes into the second half, Webb created the best chance of the game so far, when crossing from the right flank, forcing Langridge into a spectacular dive for the ball to deny Winchester a tap-in from two yards.

The visitors were finally rewarded for their efforts 60 minutes in, being awarded a free kick just outside the left corner of the box. Webb lobbed it into the area where Andrew Bridge won the goalmouth scramble to put the ball back in the net and bringing his side back into the game.

Loughborough controlled all areas of the pitch now and their confidence boost meant the equaliser was in the air. Indeed, it only took them another six minutes to level, this time it was Winchester’s fine cross from the right that set up Bridge to blast his second of the night past the Town shot-stopper.

With the score level, the game was wide open again. Both goalkeepers had an extremely busy night. While Langridge denied Winchester from three yards, O’Keefe got down well to save several attempts by Bagley, an ever-present menace in front of the Loughborough goal.

At this point the game could have swayed either way but the hosts were unforgiving, maximising on a momentarily lack of focus among the Loughborough defence.

In a fine combination of moves, right back Ritchie passed the leather to Esplin, who then put it through to an unmarked Tommy Smith, lurking on the left edge of the box. It was an easy finish for the striker, who immediately ran to celebrate with the fans.

With only 10 minutes left on the clock, Uttoxeter retreated into their half and Loughborough were visibly unsettled, desperate to get another goal. Their attempts to outnumber the opponents by sending keeper O’Keefe into the opposition area were a last unfruitful attempt at forcing Uttoxeter into another extra time.

With the referee’s final whistle the home crowd stormed the pitch, lighting yet more flares and celebrating victory, having gone into the fixture as underdogs.

It was a cracking game between two even-matched sides in front of an atmosphere worthy of a floodlit cup clash. While the students will be disappointed with the turn of events, they have every reason to be proud of their impressive comeback when the game seemed almost lost.

Uttoxeter will travel to Coventry United for the second round and the Loughborough squad will look to get a few days of rest before embarking on three away trips within five days next week.

The next home fixture is a Midland Football League encounter against St. Andrews on Tuesday, November 17.